[Durham INC] Durham 911 Center's New Technology Delivers Advanced Tools for Emergency Responders

[Blalock, Amy]

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

 

 

News Release

 

For Details, Contact:

Amy Blalock

Sr. Public Affairs Specialist

(919) 560-4123 x 11253

(919) 475-7735 (cell)

Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov

 

For Immediate Release:  April 9, 2010

 

 

Durham 911 Center's New Technology Delivers Advanced Tools for Emergency
Responders

New Technology Provides Detailed 3D-like Aerial Images of Caller's
Location

 

DURHAM, N.C. - When you call 911 in Durham, a 3D-like aerial image of
your exact location will be what's seen on the other end, allowing
communication officers to see exactly where you are as if they were
right there at the scene.

 

The Durham Emergency Communications Center is now using Pictometry,
which allows communication officers to not only bring up a detailed map
of an inbound caller's location, but also visually inspect the area
through 3D-like aerial images.  In addition, the Durham Emergency
Communications Center can now easily bring up the actual incident area
with up to 12 different angled views of any property, building, highway
or other feature within Durham County as well as obtain measurements of
any area such as distance, height, and elevation directly from the
imagery. 

 

According to James Soukup, director of the Durham Emergency
Communications Center, the new technology gives communication officers
detailed information on a caller's location, which helps them provide
more accurate information to emergency responders so they are even
better equipped to deal with situations when they arrive on the scene.
"We are constantly looking for new technological advancements, and we
are excited to now have Pictometry, which is a major enhancement for
Durham in providing specific location information during an emergency,"
Soukup said.  "Now, our communication officers can provide firefighters
with remote guidance on the location of electrical wires and other
obstacles that might impair access or tell police officers which
buildings have multiple angles for entry and escape.  The technology
truly takes us to the next level in our ability to locate callers
reporting emergencies and also to aid the emergency responders with
valuable information regarding access to the incident scene."



The new software was funded through the North Carolina Chapter of the
Emergency Number Association (NCNENA), which received a federal
appropriation of $214,605 to implement this new imagery technology in
Durham.  In addition to the federal appropriation, the Durham Emergency
Communications Center used an additional $66,550 in 911 surcharge funds
to cover the remaining cost of the installation.  There will be a
recurring cost of $1,350 for annual maintenance.

 

According to Soukup, the new technology provides benefits and tools that
were not available to communication officers.  "Now, the image of the
building or area where a 911 call originates is available on the
computer screen as soon as a call comes into the center," Soukup said.
"The system is wireless, which means our communication officers can now
visually follow the caller as they travel along a road during an
incident.  That type of contact is priceless to you if you are on the
other end of the line needing emergency help."

 

According to Soukup, the technology allows the center to instantly view
multiple images of the caller's location at the time of call; view
alternate traffic routes to incidents; view each address from multiple
angles for entry and escape points; measure height, length, and width of
buildings; provide remote guidance on the location of electrical wires
and other obstacles that might impair equipment or helicopter access;
integrate third-party information, such as dispatch software and records
management systems; monitor foot chases through visual clues and provide
assistance to officers on the scene; and using visual clues, help
identify the true location of incidents that are called in that may not
be the actual incident area. 

 

Pictometry International Corp. is the world's largest digital, oblique
aerial photography company. The company develops and markets a
sophisticated, integrated information system that allows users to have
high-resolution images of neighborhoods, landmarks, roads, and complete
municipalities from multiple views.  According to Soukup, oblique is a
technical term used to describe an aerial photograph that is taken at an
angle, so that a feature, such as a house, building, street light, or
fire hydrant can be seen in its entirety.  To learn more about
Pictometry International Corp., visit www.pictometry.com.  

 

To learn more about the Durham Emergency Communications Center and the
use of this new technology in Durham, contact Soukup at (919) 560-4191
or via e-mail at james.soukup at durhamnc.gov. 

 

About Durham Emergency Communications Center 

The Durham Emergency Communications Center is dedicated to promoting,
preserving, and protecting the safety and security of all citizens in
Durham.  The center provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week 911 access to
citizens and user agencies in and around Durham County.  Services
include emergency and non-emergency requests as well as dispatch for
police, fire, EMS, and other City/County support agencies.  To learn
more, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/911. 

 

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